Antonio Forcione – Live at Le Q

Was having an off day a couple of months ago. Can't remember what had happened now but remember complaining to Tay that I was cheesed (humph). Received a txt shortly after. It was Tay asking whether I was busy on December 17th (hmmm...) and would it cheer me up to know that we now had tickets to watch Antonio Forcione, Live at Le Quecumbar (RING THE ALARM!).

Desparate to check out Antonio's jaw-dropping guitar technique. Tay freezing after hour-long train journey in carriage sans-heating, fever setting in on the way (bugger, hope we don't miss any of the show). Fortunately, for cold & flu symptoms, there's nothing better than to get cosy inside Le Q's tiny interior (that'll warm her cockles!).

Rushed out of work early to get down to Battersea for when the doors opened. Through the window it appeared there was no room at the inn (damn, well, I suppose it IS xmas). Opened the door & found a table immediately (Bingo! Close to the action and next to the sound engineer).

Ordered Le Q's best plate, venison burgers with cranberry sauce (these'll get the dribble factory pumping, as per usual). Less than two minutes later our dinner was on the table (hmmm... not typically French but bonus points for Le Q). Burgers were below par & there seems to be a cranberry shortage (pah, bonus points deducted).

Had plenty of time to kill after the meal. Antonio ate two tables away (look at those losers asking for his autograph!) and disappeared for two hours. Shared our table with a nice couple (get in, we've got the far side, no rubber-necking for us!), folkies they were. Had heard of Caliko but hadn't seen them play live (note to self: tell Jon & Jo to book a gig in Crouch End).

Gig started about 9pm. Playing phenomenal and sound perfect (aha, nylon strings, a levalier mic... and hot damn that percussionist is creative!). View obscured by folkie-wife's enormous hair (dammit, how can a white woman grow an afro?).

Wine finished by 10pm (nice, could do with a refresher now). Cloudy lemonade run out (oh you... buggers, regular it is then).

Two hours of world-jazz surpassed. Antonio hits single wrong note during blistering solo (wow, he IS human!) Adriano has crowd imitating bird tweets during African Dawn. Duo share instruments simultaneously during free improvisation loosely titled Funky (this music just gets better & better).

Bill arrives for dinner. Compulsary service charge 20% (ouch, I know it's not cheap here but we HAVE already paid to get in). Duo return for encore (ahh, screw the expense, this has been an awesome night out). Waiter sneakily adds 50p to bill (err, WTF, I can't possibly make such a petit fuss...).

Attempted to find duo and purchase signed CDs (loser!). Left CD-less (kinda spent enough tonight, I'm not a total victim of consumerism...) but with great feeling that we had witnessed something very special (it makes sense really, expensive? Yes. But this is the only place in the UK dedicated to Django's legacy, is immaculately decked out in 1930's Parisian style and can offer an intimate night of acoustic jazz with my favourite guitarist. All in all, Le Q absolutely jams!).

Walked half a mile in sub-zero temperature. Arrived at bus stop to watch bus close doors and drive away (bugger).